40 Tried-and-True Potluck Recipes (2024)

Home Potluck

40 Tried-and-True Potluck Recipes (1)Sue StetzelUpdated: Feb. 25, 2022

    Searching for the best potluck recipes? Look no further! These are the top-rated, most-loved, tried-and-true recipes according to readers just like you.

    1/40

    Potluck Taco Casserole

    This is the dish I take most often to potlucks, and the pan comes home empty every time. It has the irresistible taco taste that everybody craves. —Kim Stoller, Smithville, Ohio

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    2/40

    Strawberry Pretzel Salad

    Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan

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    3/40

    Baked Spaghetti

    Every time that I make this cheesy baked spaghetti, I get requests for the recipe. It puts a different spin on pasta and is great for any meal. The leftovers, if there are any, also freeze well for a quick dinner later in the week. —Ruth Koberna, Brecksville, Ohio

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    4/40

    Taste of Home

    Jalapeno Popper Spread

    I've been told by fellow partygoers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia

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    5/40

    Taste of Home

    Raspberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie

    Slab pie is a pastry baked in a jelly-roll pan and cut into slabs like a bar cookie—or a pie bar, if you will. My grandfather was a professional baker and served pieces of slab pie to his customers back in the day. Here is my spin, featuring rhubarb and gorgeous red raspberries. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    6/40

    Three-Bean Baked Beans

    I got this recipe from my aunt and made a couple of changes to suit my taste. With ground beef and bacon mixed in, these satisfying beans are a big hit at backyard barbecues and church picnics. I'm always asked to bring my special beans. —Julie Currington, Gahanna, Ohio

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    7/40

    Oat Dinner Rolls

    These soft rolls are out of this world. The addition of oat makes them a little heartier than other dinner rolls. —Patricia Rutherford, Winchester, Illinois

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    8/40

    Taste of Home

    Candy Bar Apple Salad

    This creamy, sweet salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa

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    9/40

    Ham and Swiss Sliders

    My next-door neighbor shared this ham and Swiss sliders recipe with me, and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of poppy seeds, ham and cheese, horseradish and brown sugar makes it so delicious. —Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota

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    10/40

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight

    This is a simple chocolate dessert recipe for any type of potluck occasion, and the pan always comes home empty. —Diane Windley, Grace, Idaho

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    11/40

    Taste of Home

    Grilled Huli Huli Chicken

    I got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is fantastic on pork chops, too. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California

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    12/40

    Taste of Home

    Taco Meatball Ring

    While it looks complicated, this attractive meatball-filled ring is really very easy to assemble. My family loves tacos, and we find that the crescent roll dough is a nice change from the usual tortilla shells or chips. There are never any leftovers when I serve this at a meal or as a party appetizer!—Brenda Johnson, Davison, Michigan

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    13/40

    Taste of Home

    Tangy Barbecue Sandwiches

    Since I prepare the beef for these robust sandwiches in the slow cooker, it's easy to fix a meal for a hungry bunch. The savory homemade sauce assures I come home with no leftovers. —Debbi Smith, Crossett, Arkansas

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    14/40

    Taste of Home

    Special Sesame Chicken Salad

    With its delicious mix of crunchy peanuts, tangy dried cranberries and mandarin oranges, this colorful Asian chicken salad is a definite crowd-pleaser. Water chestnuts and a teriyaki dressing give this main dish its Asian flare. —Carolee Ewell, Santaquin, Utah

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    15/40

    Lemon Berry Dump Cake

    This sweet-tart cake recipe is so much fun to make with my grandkids. They love just "dumping it all in" and watching it magically become a pretty, delicious dessert. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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    16/40

    Chicken Parmesan Slider Bake

    Sliders are the perfect finger food for any get-together, and this flavorful chicken Parmesan version won’t disappoint. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

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    17/40

    Apple Maple Pecan Salad

    A well-made salad has good taste and pleasing crunch. This one with cabbage, apples and pecans gets high marks in both, with extra points for color contrast. —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    18/40

    Taste of Home

    Cherry Tomato Bites

    Cherry tomatoes may be small, but these are full of amazing flavor. Plus, they add color to any table. —Rev. David Bostedt, Zephyrhills, Florida

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    19/40

    Taste of Home

    Chocolate Trifle

    For a fabulous finale when entertaining, this lovely layered chocolate trifle is a winner! Chocolate trifle recipes are a do-ahead dessert that serves a group, and it even tastes great the next day. —Pam Botine, Goldsboro, North Carolina

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    20/40

    On holidays, a friend serves these creamy, cheesy potatoes when we gather together to celebrate with lifelong friends and grown children. —Carol Blue, Barnesville, Pennsylvania

    21/40

    Ginger Salmon with Cucumber Lime Sauce

    Lime with ginger is a favorite flavor combo for me, especially with grilled salmon. So good. Even with the cucumber sauce, this recipe is easy, too. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

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    22/40

    Taste of Home

    Buttery Horseradish Corn on the Cob

    For a July Fourth barbecue, I whipped up a butter and horseradish topping for grilled corn. People actually formed a line to get seconds. —Trish Loewen, Bakersfield, California

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    23/40

    Taste of Home

    Baked Spinach Dip Loaf

    Any round loaf works as a serving bowl for this cream-cheesy dip, with spinach, cheddar, water chestnuts and, yes, bacon. Scoop the dip with the extra bread and veggies—then eat the bowl! —Frieda Meding, Trochu, Alberta

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    24/40

    Honey Chipotle Ribs

    Nothing is better than having a sauce with the perfect slather consistency. Here's one that will ensure a lip-smacking feast. Go ahead and make the sauce up to a week ahead for an easier grilling experience. —Caitlin Hawes, Westwood, Massachusetts

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    25/40

    Taste of Home

    Tomato wedges give this salad a juicy bite. It's a great use of fresh herbs and veggies from your own garden or the farmers market. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin

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    26/40

    Louisiana Jambalaya

    My husband helped add a little spice to my life. He grew up on Cajun cooking, such as Louisiana jambalaya, while I ate mostly meat-and-potato meals. —Sandi Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee

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    27/40

    Soft Buttermilk Dinner Rolls

    Warm, buttery dinner rolls are absolutely irresistible. I save time and use a stand mixer to make my dough. —Jennifer Patterson, Shoshone, Idaho

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    28/40

    Toffee Pecan Bars

    Curl up with a hot cup of coffee and one of these treats. The golden topping and flaky crust give way to the heartwarming taste of old-fashioned pecan pie. —Dianna Croskey, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania

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    29/40

    My primo pork is smoky, tender and tastes like it came from a barbecue joint. Without much help from me, it basically shreds itself. —Lauren Adamson, Layton, Utah

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    30/40

    Taste of Home

    Fontina Asparagus Tart

    This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It's a snap to make but looks really impressive. Be advised…your guests will be vying for the last tasty slice. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan

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    31/40

    Golden Mashed Potatoes

    When there's no gravy with the meat, this dish is fabulous to serve in place of regular mashed potatoes. I make it often to take to picnics and church socials. My husband even made it for his family's reunion one year when I couldn't go! —Cindy Stith, Wickliffe, Kentucky

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    32/40

    Slow-Cooked Hoisin Pot Roast

    One day my husband commented that he loves plums and meat. The next time I put a roast in the slow cooker, I added some plums. He was onto something! —Jackie Cole, Dunnellon, Florida

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    33/40

    Southern Cornbread Salad

    To feed a crowd, especially when I want to make a good impression, I make this eye-popping cornbread salad. It’s beautiful in a trifle bowl. I love it in summer, when we can make it with our own garden produce. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri

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    34/40

    These colorful little drop biscuits are very easy to put together and yet are packed full of flavor. I serve them warm out of the oven. —Keith Mesch, Mt. Healthy, Ohio

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    35/40

    Taste of Home

    Mushroom Cheese Bread

    This savory grilled bread is delightful with barbecued steak, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. For variation, we sometimes use half cheddar cheese and half mozzarella. —Dolly McDonald, Edmonton, Alberta

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    36/40

    Barbecued Meatballs

    Grape jelly and chili sauce are the secrets that make these meatballs so fantastic. If I’m serving them at a party, I prepare the meatballs and sauce in advance and reheat them right before guests arrive. —Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

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    37/40

    Garden Bounty Panzanella Salad

    My sister gave me fresh tomatoes and basil, so I made a bread salad known as Panzanella. The longer it sits, the more the bread soaks up the seasonings. —Jannine Fisk, Malden, Massachusetts

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    38/40

    Taste of Home

    Candy Bar Cheesecake Brownies

    I came up with these brownies as a way to use up my son's leftover Halloween candy. You can tint the cream cheese orange for a spooky touch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah

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    39/40

    Homemade Potato Chips

    Forget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    40/40

    Layered Salad for a Crowd

    This salad is a favorite of my three sons. I took it to a luncheon honoring our school district’s food service manager, and she asked for the recipe. I like to make the dressing the day before so the flavors blend together. —Linda Ashley, Leesburg, Georgia

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    Originally Published: May 23, 2019

    40 Tried-and-True Potluck Recipes (41)

    Sue Stetzel

    Sue has been working with Taste of Home since 2011. When she isn’t writing, she’s answering your burning cooking questions and working with our team of Community Cooks. She spends her free time cooking, crafting, and volunteering for various organizations in her home town.

    40 Tried-and-True Potluck Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What to bring to a potluck last minute? ›

    17 Quick & Tasty Potluck Recipes
    • Kimchi, Shrimp & Soba Salad. ...
    • Mango Cucumber Chile Salad. ...
    • Sriracha-Lime Corn Salad. ...
    • Tomato Salad with Corn, Summer Squash & Roasted Onions. ...
    • Freekeh Salad with Fennel and Mint. ...
    • Southwestern Quinoa Salad by Way of the Pantry. ...
    • Roberto Santibañez' Classic Guacamole.
    Aug 18, 2019

    What to take to a Mexican potluck? ›

    Here's our most delicious Mexican food you can whip up for your next fiesta.
    1. 1Bacon and cheese-stuffed jalapeño poppers. ...
    2. 2Tex-Mex wings with corn salsa. ...
    3. 3Quick-smart nachos. ...
    4. 4Minikins with Mexican beans. ...
    5. 5Chillies Rellenos (stuffed chillies) ...
    6. 6Mini Mexican quesadillas. ...
    7. 7Mexican beef tacos.
    8. 8Mexican salad.

    What is a good finger food to bring to a potluck? ›

    Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
    • Fried Pickles. Treat your guests to fried pickles for fun finger food ideas. ...
    • Fried Mac and Cheese Rolls. ...
    • Deviled Eggs. ...
    • Honey Garlic Meatballs. ...
    • Garlic Breadsticks. ...
    • Salted Soft Pretzels. ...
    • Whipped Ricotta Crostini. ...
    • Vietnamese Spring Rolls.
    Apr 22, 2024

    What not to bring to a potluck? ›

    These Are The 5 Worst Dishes To Bring To Holiday Potluck Dinners
    • Baked potatoes in aluminum foil. When the potatoes cool down, the moisture and steam in the foil can create a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. ...
    • Mayo-based salads. ...
    • Fish and seafood. ...
    • Nuts. ...
    • Leafy green salads.
    Dec 8, 2023

    Do you tell people what to bring to a potluck? ›

    Assign Dishes

    Send an email asking people what they would prefer to bring, so they can cook something they know will be a hit. However, ensure that everyone brings something different. Assign meals to those who don't respond, and be prepared to ask some to change their dish.

    Can you go to a potluck without bringing anything? ›

    Anything More Than Empty Hands Is Acceptable

    These go hand-in-hand since the food is brought and eaten by the guests themselves. It's a fun communal activity that also takes some weight off the poor host. So can you show up to a potluck empty-handed? Heck no.

    How do you plan a potluck for 40 people? ›

    A Suggested Menu for a Perfect Potluck of 40 Guests Includes:
    1. 4 People Bringing Appetizers. ...
    2. 5 People Bringing Main Dishes. ...
    3. 8 People Bringing Side Dishes. ...
    4. 4 People Bringing Bread. ...
    5. 4 People Bringing Dessert. ...
    6. 3 People Bringing Beverages. ...
    7. 1 Person Bringing Cups, Plates & Napkins.
    8. 1 Person Bringing Utensils.

    What is a good dish to bring to an office potluck? ›

    These easy potluck ideas for work include make ahead options, comfort food favorites, and stick-to-your-ribs entrees that everyone will love.
    • Classic Barbecue Ribs. ...
    • Make Ahead Fajitas. ...
    • Hot Dog Kebabs. ...
    • Crunchy Macaroni and Cheese. ...
    • Pulled Brisket Sliders. ...
    • Big Top Steak Skewers. ...
    • Old World Spanish Chicken. ...
    • Easy Tortellini One Pot.

    What do you bring to a taco party potluck? ›

    Here are some taco potluck party ideas:
    1. Tortillas (hard, soft, or both)
    2. Salsas (invite guests to bring a variety - green, red, corn, fruits, etc.)
    3. Ground Beef or Turkey.
    4. Shredded Pork or Braised Beef.
    5. Grilled Shrimp.
    6. Lettuce.
    7. Tomatoes.
    8. Jalapeños.

    What do you bring to an ethnic potluck? ›

    Here are 23 interesting diverse festive potluck dish ideas to help strengthen the professional workplace bond and engagement this year:
    • Jamaican Jerk Chicken. ...
    • Dominican Pan de Batata (Sweet Potato Bread) ...
    • Venezuelan Pernil a la Piña (Pork Leg with Pineapple) ...
    • Brazilian Tender Natalino (Christmas Ham) ...
    • Colombian Empanadas.
    Feb 28, 2024

    Is it rude not to bring food to a potluck? ›

    Anything More Than Empty Hands Is Acceptable

    These go hand-in-hand since the food is brought and eaten by the guests themselves. It's a fun communal activity that also takes some weight off the poor host. So can you show up to a potluck empty-handed? Heck no.

    What are the rules of bringing something to a potluck? ›

    Potluck etiquette: All you need to know before you plop a casserole on the table
    • Do arrive with your dish ready to serve. ...
    • Do be considerate of others' dietary restrictions. ...
    • Don't leave dirty dishes. ...
    • Do keep it classy. ...
    • Do communicate your plans in advance. ...
    • Don't pig out. ...
    • Do acknowledge your host. ...
    • More from Lifestyle:
    Nov 26, 2019

    What food to bring to a party as a guest? ›

    Best Party Food Ideas for Adults on a Budget
    • Guacamole and Salsa Bar. ...
    • Crostini With Toppings. ...
    • Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. ...
    • Cucumber Sandwiches. ...
    • Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels. ...
    • Homemade Pita Chips With Tzatziki. ...
    • Meatball Skewers.
    Jan 10, 2024

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